Until the Stars Burn Cold – Nicole Hurley-Moore

Admin Note: Nicole is giving away a copy of Until the Stars Burn Cold to one lucky reader who comments on this post and leaves and email address.

So, I’m thinking about what sorts of things inspired me to
write and the first answer that jumps into my mind is… fairytales. I liked
all fairytales as a kid but especially loved the Grimm’s tales, you know, the
really dark ones where good triumphs but maybe not in the sugar coated way you
would expect. They were scary and fabulous at the same time. They conjured
images of cold, tangled forests, evil queens, quests, witches, magic, brave
heroes and plucky princesses.

From fairytales I progressed to myths and legends. As you
can imagine, I had a pretty quiet sort of childhood as my nose was always
buried in a book. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with the medieval
period.

These inspirations carried through the years and are still
very much with me today. Which is probably why, I write historical and
paranormal romances. I just can’t shake the idea of magic and the shadowy,
twisted forest.

My first two novellas, The
Trinket Seller’s Daughter and Capturing
Bliss were both medieval romances. Trinket
Seller’s was set in a deep, dark forest and even through it was a straight
historical, there was a hint of a fairytale feel.

However, for Until The
Stars Burn Cold I think I was channeling Scheherazade and her Thousand and
One Nights. It’s a time travel romance set in ancient Persia and modern day
rural Australia. It’s a story of star crossed lovers, an evil sorcerer, magic
and everlasting love.

I love the historical and paranormal genres, both separately
and how wonderfully they can merge together and create magic.

Thanks so much, Brynna for letting me drop by In Shadows for
a chat J

Until
The Stars Burn Cold

Forbidden love

Long ago in ancient Persia, there
lived a pair of star crossed lovers. In a desperate bid, the lovers sought to
flee the town of Adwan. But they were caught and torn apart. For his insolence,
Jinn is cursed into a ring. Ages pass and empires crumble… and Jinn is still
forever bound in a circle of frozen silver. Bound, that is until present day
antiques dealer, Mia Templeton accidentally releases him. Mia is beautiful and
Jinn, finds her somehow familiar. Is love eternal and evil everlasting? Can the
power that destroyed his life in Adwan, reach through the centuries and
threaten his future?

A Snippet from Until The Stars Burn Cold

Adwan, 776 AD

Ranjinn silently scaled the
jasmine covered wall; the heavy scent from the small white flowers was
intoxicating. The waning moon was obscured by dark night clouds, and a cool
breeze wash over his strong shoulders as he pulled himself towards the softly
lit balcony above. He paused, glancing down to the fragrant garden fifteen feet
below. A large rectangular pool was its center piece, and around it the grounds
radiated in four geometric designs that featured lemon and lime trees mixed
with heady florals and pomegranates. The evening air was infused with the
scents of Shuri’s garden, tempered by the salty sea that lapped at the nearby
rocky coast.

Ranjinn adjusted the coil of
rope slung across his chest. Secure, he climbed swiftly up the remainder of the
wall, pulling himself over the intricately carved stone balustrade. He stepped
over the cool marble floor and pulled back the diaphanous silken curtains that
led to Shuri’s chamber.

She was seated at a small table,
brushing her long, dark hair that fell far below her shoulders. Her gown was a
pale blue and the room was scented with her favorite perfume, rose of Damascus.
She was a beauty and he would never tire looking at her. She was the jewel of
Adwan. But even though her loveliness captivated him it was her spirit that
claimed his heart. Shuri’s hand stilled and her back stiffened as she sensed a
presence in the room. She whirled around and the look of apprehension was
quickly replaced by relief.

“Jinn, you should not have come,”
she said as she pushed herself from the chair and ran towards his open arms;
the silky skirts flowing like water in her wake.

“I could not stay away,” he
replied as he buried his face into her fragrant neck.

“Hush my love, there are guards
outside the door. My uncle will kill us both if he discovers we have disobeyed
his decree,” she said as she brushed a dark lock of his hair from his eyes.

“Your uncle has never loved, for
if he had he would allow us to wed. We will leave this place and find a friendlier
shore,” he explained as he pulled back a little and searched her face.

“Truly Jinn? Are you willing to
leave all that is yours for me?” She asked doubt and fear clouding her green
eyes.

“You are my heart and by leaving Adwan, we gain everything,”
he said, his lips capturing hers in a kiss filled with love, reverence and the
slow burning passion that they had tried for months to contain.